Bradford pilots Baby Buddy App to help mums-to be

The launch of a new smartphone app to help parents-to-be and young parents get better access to information and support has taken place in Bradford.

Parents got to grips with the new, free app with children’s centre staff at Tyersal Children’s Centre as part of a pilot to improve access to antenatal services, health appointments and relevant information.

The app is designed to help parents become more confident, as well as support their maternal mental health and well being, so they can give their babies the best start. It is part of a Best Beginnings pilot project being run in the district to help reduce child health inequalities and reduce infant mortality.

The Baby Buddy app also allows users to create a virtual friend who accompanies them through the first stages of parenthood, giving personalised information relevant to the stage of pregnancy or the age of the baby.

Michaela Howell, lead officer at Bradford Trident, said: “The Baby Buddy is key to delivering our antenatal support once a mum becomes pregnant so she can get up-to-date accurate and consistent information early on.”

“Any parent can get access to the app for free which means mums and dads can be confident of get the right support and advice. It’s about giving them the best start possible.””

CEO of Best Beginnings, Alison Baum said: “Research tells us young mothers are more at risk of premature delivery and of having poor mental health. Their children are more likely to have health problems and language delay which impacts on their school readiness and ultimately their life chances.

“At Best Beginnings we are working to change this by giving parents access to information and support in a way that works for them, irrespective of social background.

“The Baby Buddy app is designed to increase the uptake of health services, encourage early and regular attendance at NHS appointments and provide the next generation of young parents with the knowledge, skills and confidence to maximise their children's physical, social and emotional development.”

Funded by the Big Lottery Fund and championed by TV’s “Dr Ranj” and TV presenter and athlete Charlie Webster, the app has been developed by Best Beginnings, a child health charity which aims to end child health inequalities in the UK by helping parents give their babies the best possible start in life.

Baby Buddy has been endorsed by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, the Royal College of Midwives, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, the Community Practitioners and Health Visitors Association, the Institute of Health Visiting and the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.